Southern California -- this just in

Marijuana-growing operation busted in Agoura; 1 arrested

An Agoura man has been arrested on suspicion of growing marijuana after
sheriff’s deputies discovered a makeshift greenhouse containing 29 plants worth
about $4,000 in the back of his residence.

Nicholas West, 22, was booked Wednesday and faces charges of cultivation and
possession of marijuana, along with grand theft of a gun.

Deputies with the
Malibu/Lost Hills station of the Los Angeles
County Sheriff’s Department were called by
the homeowner in the 31200 block of Lobo Canyon Road to stand
by while a real estate agent and appraiser entered the home. Apparently, there had been
past disputes between the residents and homeowner, according to a statement by Lt.
Josh Thai.

When deputies entered, they smelled marijuana and saw
several dried marijuana plants inside, Thai wrote. They subsequently called their narcotics
bureau. After a search warrant was obtained, deputies searched an approximately 8-by-25-foot greenhouse covered in a plastic tarp and discovered the plants, Thai
wrote.

Deputies also found a handgun not registered to West, he wrote. West is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.